Stylish Young Moms Share Tips, Baby Essentials, and Guilty Pleasures

Happy Mothers' Day to all mothers. Cheers to all of you Wonder Women who are being celebrated today.

Here, we've asked some of Manila's young mothers what they've learned, how they bond with their kids, and their other secrets to motherhood.

JACKIE COHEN-ANTONIO

PHOTO: COURTESY

The New York native is the founder of Chibi Momo, a children’s specialty boutique at Century City Mall in Makati. She and her husband Marco have two children Devon, 6, and Tali, 4.

“Motherhood has taught me how to function with little sleep, how to be more patient, how to wing it, how to relish the small things in life, how the heart can expand in ways you never thought it could and how to take life a little less seriously.”

Something you wish you knew early on?Don't stress so much about the small stuff. Just breathe and move on. Focus on the bigger things and be present.

Most treasured baby essential?Yaya! Hahaha!

Favorite activity with your kids?I love just being with them doing regular, everyday things. You never know what funny things they’ll say or do. It’s always entertaining.

ANNE ARCENAS GONZALEZ

Anne is the president and owner of Havaianas in the Philippines, Aura Athletica, and CommonThread. She has two daughters: Adriana 20, and Stella,10.

“Motherhood is never picture perfect. It is beautiful, fun and fulfilling but it’s also messy, frantic and scary, and that’s what makes it wonderful.”

Something you wish you knew early on?That I did not need even half of all the baby products, gadgets, and toys that I spent on.

Tips for new moms?With all the advice (expert or otherwise) out there, learn to sift through and even tune out all the opinions. Motherhood is unique to each person, just try to be the best mom you can be, the best you know how.

How do you spend quality time with your kids?A nice meal together or a movie in bed.

Baby item you can’t live without?Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion.

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Favorite activity with your kids?Travel, especially to somewhere by the sea.

Guilty pleasure?Ice cream!

MARY REYES

PHOTO: COURTESY

Mary is a luxury PR professional. She has a son named Aito, who is now 8 years old.

“What I learned most from motherhood is the great gift of selflessness. The level of selflessness that you end up having as a mother is unbelievable and the most fulfilling part of this journey for me. Bringing joy to your child, without question of putting him first is the most rewarding and fulfilling act as a mother for me.”

Best advice you received? It's the most basic and cliché advice, but it's true to savor every moment with your child. It's so important to be in the present and enjoy the tiny giggles they have as an infant. In a blink of an eye, their giggles become loud boisterous laughs in the schoolyard with their friends. Savoring all these joyous moments of happiness, and sometimes sadness, is really the best advice I've received. Hope everyone agrees too!

Baby product you can’t live without?Jogger pants! For two reasons really, first, of course, is that he loves them because they're so comfy. But second would be because he has sensitive skin, so friction in cold temperatures—even just in an airconditioned room—and he can break out. It pays off that these are super in trend now too with athleisure wear!

Favorite activity with your son?I can't name one particular activity, safe to say all activities with Aito are my favorite, but sharing the joy of laughter all the time with him is what we enjoy the most together. He's got the best sense of humor, he's kind-hearted and is such a loving little boy. In any activity, we find a way to turn it into a funny situation. I teach him how to tackle life in a subtle way by finding the joy in everything he does. We love trying new things all the time! His adventurous and curious side of trying new things constantly is something that came from me for sure! We both love new "adventures" as he calls them.

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With this thirst for adventure, it's probably safe to say that travel is definitely on the top of the list when it comes to pinpointing activities. Being in new places constantly is a joyous time and we love discovering new countries and cultures together. "A new adventure, Mama," he says when we arrive at any new destination.

CHERMAINE C. DE GUZMAN

PHOTO: COURTESY

Chermaine is an entrepreneur and interior designer. She has two children, Alexa, 9, and Javi, 5.

“It has been quite a journey of ups and downs, lessons learned and relearned but through it all, I've learned to savor all the moments. Before my kids, I was the type to always look at the future. Where I would see myself, where to travel next. I tend to plan ahead. But with having kids, I learned to take each day at a time, stop and relish each moment with my children. Another realization is that what may work for me, may not work for your child. And lastly, it really does take a village.”

Something you wished you knew early on?To be honest, Kumon for the kids. Also, do not rush to put your toddlers to school. We, mothers, are still the best teachers.

Tips for new moms?Get a lot of sleep before the baby arrives because you will have zero after. It's been nine years of no sleep for me.

MICHELLE ROBBINS TAGLE

Former teacher and now homemaker, Michelle has two sons, Tavi, 8, and Mateo, 5.

“Do your best to set up a routine and boundaries for your kids but let go of the small stuff. It’s a roller coaster of fun, love, and fury!”

Something you wish you knew early on?To relax a little more, to take time to just stop and look your kids in the eyes.

Tips for new moms?Pick one book and read it nightly to your kids, even when they are infants. It helps children with language skills, sets a nice routine for them, and builds a special bond for them with books. Play lots of music!

How do you spend quality time with your kids?We play cards and board games almost every day and we have a family movie afternoon each week. I also love to bring them to watch ballet and other kinds of shows when I know it’s something that can hold their attention.

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Baby item/product you can’t live without?Strollers and Ergo baby carrier.

Favorite activity with your kids?Traveling, playing cards.

Guilty pleasure?I take ballet class to clear my mind and to feel refreshed.

Favorite push present?I have one ring for each child that I stack together with my wedding ring.

KAI NAKANISHI LIM

PHOTO: KAI NAKANISHI LIM

Kai is an entrepreneur who has three kids Yumiko, 10, Aki, 8, and Kenji who is 2.

“I love seeing them right after school, we talk about how their day went—the highs and lows. I learn so much from that small window everyday. With my two year old, it’s definitely getting on the mat to play with him, the look on his face is pure joy.”

Something you wish you knew early on?Stop worrying too much.

Tips for new moms?Enjoy every second. You blink and they’re all grown.

How do you spend quality time with your kids?I take them on one-on-one dates.

Baby item you can’t live without?Alcogel!

Guilty pleasure?Staying in bed with my kids longer than we should and just really enjoying the stillness of having them close to me.

VANIA ROMOFF

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM @vaniaromoff

Fashion designer, wife, and mother to daughter Emilia Simone, 2.

“Unconditional love, patience and unparalleled happiness.”

Something you wish you knew early on?How expensive quality schools are in Manila! Otherwise, I love discovering motherhood and taking it a step at a time.

Most treasured baby essential?My WhatsApp chat thread with Dr. Romeo Nuguid. I ask him everything with regards to Emilia’s health. Literally, from insect bites to fevers! I have no clue about these things so it helps a lot!

Favorite activity with your kid?Reading her stories. We can go a whole hour or even more just reading books!

Guilty pleasure?Stealing kisses from her while she’s asleep and can’t wriggle her way out of my arms!

JESSICA KIENLE MAXWELL

PHOTO: COURTESY

The head designer of Philux is mom to 11-month-old Jesse Luca.

Tips for new moms?Take time for yourself. It will be overwhelming in the beginning when you welcome your newborn. So when you finally are able to take some time, make sure it’s good quality 'me' time. Your life will change, but always remember to take care of yourself.

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Best advice you received?Sleep as much as you can before the baby arrives! And also, don’t worry if you feel like you don’t really know what you’re doing in the beginning. It’s all part of the learning process and it does eventually get better and easier. So don’t be too hard on yourself!

Favorite baby gift?A boppy pillow.

What do you do for me time?I go for a workout, and go out to dinner and a movie with my husband.

Favorite activity with your son?I love swimming with my son. He absolutely loves the water and gets so excited when he sees the pool even from afar!

PAM GONZALES LOPEZ

PHOTO: COURTESY

Pam is one half of Lady Scott Jones and creative director of Rustans Flower Shop. She has two young children, Pepe, 4, and Maria who is 3 months old.

“Motherhood for me is a constant work-in-progress. There’s no 'one size fits all' rule to motherhood as you learn day by day and as it comes. I recently gave birth to my second child, Maria, and it’s been wonderful. I learned that your heart can give so much love equally and unrequitedly to every child you bring to this world.”

Something you wish you knew early on?It's true what they say, children can teach you a lot. They are your best gauge. I wished I knew early on not to sweat the small stuff. I used to worry about the littlest things before—I guess its quite normal, too, given I was a new mom. Some things you just really have to let go.

Tips for new moms?Enjoy every moment of every waking hour with your babies. Time is nothing but a blink of an eye! Savor the triumphs and keep on going when you feel you’re not doing enough, because the truth is you are doing MORE than enough. Motherhood is what you make of it!

What do you do for me time?'Me' time is usually spent in the gym or lunch with my girlfriends or a nice massage.

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What's your favorite push present?Earrings.

Best baby gift you received?A state-of-the-art diaper bin!

JACKIE RODRIGUEZ AVECILLA

PHOTO: COURTESY

Jackie, marketing and communications manager of Rustan's The Beauty Source, has three kids, Rafael, 10, Gianina, 9, and Javier, 4.

“I've learned to be very patient, understanding, and selfless. I am always the last to eat, I prepare all my children's needs before myself, and all my plans are built around them and what will make them happy.”

Something you wish you knew early on?I didn't know that it was so difficult to raise and discipline a child, much more three children!

Tips for new moms?Let your kids run free, get dirty, jump on your bed, eat chocolates and candies—they are only children once. They grow up so fast you will miss them being little and carefree.

How do you spend quality time with your kids?I enjoy going to the beach with them, traveling to new places, or just simply reading them a bedtime story at night.